Bird Language in Schizophrenia

Auditory hallucinations with clear consciousness are a frequent symptom in schizophrenia. In the majority of cases they are human “voices.”

But here I wish to draw attention to schizophrenics who say they hear and understand “bird language” which gives them commands that they have to carry out. In one case these commands are in the line of purposeless travelling which leads to tramp life.

Case 1. W. M., admitted to State Hospital on May 19, 1942, white male, 39 years, 5th grade education. Laborer, single, poor. Residence unknown. His father was a coal miner and immigrant. Patient says he came to this country in his mother's arms. He has some difficulty with English, a slight slur. Has an old injury to his left elbow, an old scar on the face from a barb wire when a friend chased his dog after him when he was a little boy. Amputation of all toes years ago from freezing.

His case history states that he is a potential train wrecker, robber and murderer and should be committed to a concentration camp for the duration of the war. He is a persistent railroad bum and petty criminal. He had been in jail, penitentiary and under arrest many times and received short sentences for robbery, hitch-hiking, carrying weapons, gambling, trespassing, train riding, larceny bicycle, built fire in box car, molesting girl, etc. He was picked up when asking for a meal. He says he is “pretty well hooked up with experience” and he never was a big drunkard but admits drinking. He is fairly agreeable, cooperative, tidy, neat, but has explosive speech and is very peculiar. He is afraid of something that he does not express. Evasive, seclusive and must be pumped. No insight. Poor judgment. His plans are to “knock his brother out and take his bike” to go to Chicago, to New York, etc. He admits vagrant life, says he understands “bird language” and must be in New York. He has a message to go there. Even upon repeated questionings he would not divulge details about his understanding of “bird language” b